Dear God,
Please forgive my dishonesty. I am beginning my submission as such, but only out of politeness.
Instead of praying, let’s learn to find joy and happiness from helping and loving fellow mankind. We are compassionate and kind because it feels good to do so, and not because we are afraid of burning in eternal hell or suffering in the endless misery of reincarnation.
Let’s face it, there is no God, we are only writing to each other here. Having even a remote association with a religion is one too many - do we really want to give up our rational mind and be manipulated by religious leaders, all playing politicians and vice versa?
Unfaithfully,
Eric, Canada/BCShare:
May 14th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Dear Eric,
It’s a choice
It actually looked very simple (at least for me). I choose to believe, you don’t.
It is indeed we are writing to each other. They read, they provide comments. I see this as ‘Universal Religious Sharing Community’. Their problems, their tears, their sorrow, strengthen me to keep on believing. That there are a load of people that posses greater problems that I do. And I’m pretty sure they will get their solutions and they are good. Never a bad solution from God
Of course, like many others, I suggest you to believe. But again, as I said, it’s your choice, my friend
At least, you’ve find this website and you actually said your prayer.
Good luck, Eric
Best Regards,
Widy
May 14th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
Having even a remote association with a religion is one too many - One too many what?
May 15th, 2008 at 2:40 am
I’m with you!
May 15th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
I’m with you on this one
May 15th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Who gave us the mind that we can use rationally?
If we really want to be rational,
let’s remember who is the one who gave us this very life that we can breathe, live, walk and talk in it.
How much can we love our fellow mankind when we don’t know where to get the deepest love this world cannot offer?
You’re right that it’s not just about praying.
But prayer is our connection with the Source of Love and Truth before we can truly connect with others.
It’s not worth scraping your r/s with God when you’ve been hurt or maniupulated by religious leaders. God’ll deal with them.
I hope you’ll give yourself and God another shot. You’ll never know unless you try.
May 16th, 2008 at 11:33 am
Since tthe beggining of time, leaders found a way to control the weak ones, which is…….Religion
But, time passes, people started to get racional, and discovered something called, SCIENCE
In many ways, and everyday science is beaking every religious myth, and explaining us everything that the gratest lie on earth (religion) told us, in a scientific non miracolous way.
So, yes, religion may be usefull to someone who sees no escape and has to look for a solution, an easy one by the way, which is start praying, but of course I respect it.
Anyways, nobody will take out of my head all the crimes made by the church, all in the name of this suposed god, and how other religions can move gigantic masses of people in the way they want to, how good people are still punished, and bad ones are out there making their deal.
Do you still believe?
As I said it’s just my opinion, but being a better person is in ourselves, and not by going to church, paying the 1%, or doing what religious leaders say. Get in touch with you environment, there’s the real self. Think universal, act local.
May 17th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
i agree
but it is choice.. if people choose to believe it wont affect your life
May 18th, 2008 at 11:16 am
Dear Eric, and yes I believe you exist too.
Whats the thing with all this violence hate loneliness and depression then.
Lets face it, man is corrupt, self serving and evil. Realy Truly
Here you are, preaching love to many Christians. What for? So you can God bash. A true Christian already understands the love thing
Why not go into the world and preach your love doctrine to the masses who dont get it.
Really mate, wrong place wrong people wrong time.
Atheism proud supporters of Hitler Pol Pot Mao Idi Amin and Stalin.
God Bless fella.
May 18th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
I think that you should consider the thought that even if you don’t believe in (or are disgusted with) the institution of religion, it’s still possible for you to believe in God. Or if you shy away from that name, call it something else. But what is it that makes us find joy and happiness in helping and loving one another? Why does it feel good to be compassionate and kind? For me, that’s God.
As for this site, what got me interested in it in the first place iis that it does not associate with any one religion or “version of God” or spiritual group. There are people here with all sorts of different beliefs, struggling with all sorts of different problems and questions. Yeah, we’re all writing to each other. But if it helps…so what?
May 19th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Eric,
Tell me about the God you don’t believe in and I will tell you about the God I don’t believe in either.
Prayer is what?
Could it be that prayer is listening, writing, speaking, sitting in silence, praying with others the same prayer or a multitude of other prayers…How about this; Mother Theresa of Calcutta had huge doubts, faced difficult days for not being able to hear God, or ever experiencing God, from what I have read. Yet, even if she never percieved God, she still did the work of God, selfless acts of charity, and love.
One more quote, “The opposite of faith is not doubt, the opposite of faith is certainty, anyone who claims to know the mind or will of God is a sociopath.” I don’t know who said it but it is what I believe.
William Stafford wrote a poem “A Ritual to Read to Each Other” The first stanza is amazing and you should read the rest of poem as well. “If you don’t know the kind of person I am
and I don’t know the kind of person you are
a pattern that others made may prevail in the world
and following the wrong god home we may miss our star.”
Eric, I appreciate your authenticity, your willingness to share your soul. I don’t know if any of this helps but it is a prayer of sorts to you. A prayer is a what?
May you discover in your own backyard the mysterious answers given you before you were born. May you discover yourself in the process and find the meaning of awareness, authenticity and acceptance. Of course, maybe you already know yourself that well and then the words are for me. I am a person learning to listen.
So I stumbled upon this site, and then your confession, belief, insights and I hope you and I can have a decent conversation. If I don’t answer right away it is because I am thinking about what you said and I will always be a little baffled as to why I decided to write to you and hope I didn’t make a total fool of myself today. But the risk of connection, meaningful conversation is a risk I am willing to take.
Peace,
PJ
May 20th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
I TOTALY AGREE WITH YOU 100% I’M NOT EVEN A RELIGOUS PERSON (i blame catholic primary education for me being put off) I COME ON HERE BECASUE I a)like helping people AND b) people listen here.
you dont have to be catholic or reilgious to use this site u just have to belive in the power that mankindbrings the power to be able to be compassionate to a stranger a million miles away. that is amazing more amazing than science or religon i belive.
peace and new shirts for all xxx
May 21st, 2008 at 9:14 pm
I agree…
I wont normally tell people that I don’t believe in a God or follow a religion. All it achieves is that you get categorized as evil. The truth is that I actually fear religious people. Their whole-hearted belief in what they believe really scares me. The fact that they all congregate together emphasizing and confirming their own beliefs seems wrong. I see it as being brainwashed and I will steer clear of any conversation to do with this topic. If I told whoever that I don’t believe in a God. I know the look of disbelief I will get. I don’t need a God or fear of a Hell to make me the person I choose to be. And I choose to be a good husband, father and fellow man regardless of your religion, culture, color or gender. I do this because I am a human… not due to being Christian, Muslim or another religion.
May 24th, 2008 at 5:15 am
What an ugly comment to leave here, of all places. Go elsewhere.
May 24th, 2008 at 7:58 am
I love Christ. Does that make me irrational and brainwashed?
With me, it’s not about religion. It is the authentic relationship with Him. It gives me indescribable joy and peace. I admit I doubt his existence sometimes, but no matter how much I put logical reasoning into it, it still won’t make any difference in my life and others.
Yes there is joy and happiness in helping others, but there’s also joy in praying. Yes we are compassionate and kind because it feels good to do, but praying makes us feel better too.
May 24th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
It is / < if you believe, nor is there shame if you do not see.
June 1st, 2008 at 1:04 pm
YES you’re irrational and brainwashed. Giving yourself to “him” is petty, oh-so-human and a crutch… as an escape from being responsible, acquiescing to a “manifestdestiny” that you have no control of. You’re weak, easily manipulated and have no concept of “real”
The older I get , the more I believe the sum total of problems that exist in the world are attributable to organized religion. Faith this…
June 2nd, 2008 at 3:08 am
I agree with Eric! Religion is toxic and prayer, even in this silly forum is politically correct schizophrenia.
June 3rd, 2008 at 9:13 pm
I dont agree with you on this.
For me.. what i believe is not a “religion”. its a relationship. and a real one at that!
let me ask you one simple question… how do you believe everything on earth came about? do you believe that we have always “just been” here? how come there is no proof of that? and dont you go saying that there is no proof of God either… because i can assure you there is!!
do you believe what the scientists do and that the whole earth came together with a big bang? well i say that science back fires on that because it is proven that soundwaves cant form from nothing!!
you believe your things and i believe mine..
just throwing this out there.
June 5th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
WHEN U R DOWN TO NOTHING, GOS IS UP TO SOMETHING, THE FAITHFULL SEE THE INVISIBLE, BELIEVE IN THE INCREDIBLE AND THEN RECIEVE THE IMPOSSIBLE….
HELL IS A REALITY.
June 6th, 2008 at 12:18 am
If there is no God, who is it then that gave you your life, every cell in body(which is well siuted for you to live)?Who is it that gives you that joy?Mankind?Should you then just dedicate your life to making other people happy and hope that they will do the same for you?Who is it gives you that joy in helping other peole?
Who are you giving your mind up to, a person(religious person) or Christ?The fact that you have a “rational” mind is thanks to HIm, you can think because of His grace,you can do the things you do because of His grace.
June 9th, 2008 at 7:19 am
the beauty of living for the lord is giving up our rational mind.it gives us hope that there is something bigger out there than just us messed up humans. this is one of the many things that i love about god
June 10th, 2008 at 1:16 am
When you see something beautiful, don’t you ever wonder where it came from?
… of course there is a God. Don’t mix up God with the faults of some of the people who claim to represent him.
June 23rd, 2008 at 8:17 am
It’s too bad you do not believe in God; He believes in you. He said that when you trust Him & wait on Him, He will work in your life. Can it be that you are unhappy because you DON’T have Him in your life? To live without Gid in your life is to live a mere existence; God desires for each of us to have a personal relationship with HIm & His Son, Jesus; it’s not about what religion we are. Even Jesus condemned the ‘religious’ leaders of His day for the way they acted; He knew their heart was not right towards God. All God asks is that we trust Him. And in trusting Him, come the wonderful responsibility we have to follow Him & put Him first. He’s promised to never let us down….and God ALWAYS keeps His promises!
July 8th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
I think you need to be able to explain what religion is, and who or what God is before you can say you don”t believe in it. Sounds like you need to get to know yourself better before you leave comments like that with what seems like the intention of hurting or upsetting others.
Hope you get to grow up soon.
July 13th, 2008 at 5:40 am
[…] […]
July 14th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
hello I love you says:
“the beauty of living for the lord is giving up our rational mind.”
At least you’re honest and a greater truth has never been said. And the world pays for this every day.
Maz says
“When you see something beautiful, don’t you ever wonder where it came from?”
Yes and I immediately jump to the conclusion that it must have been an all powerful, all knowing super being, and then I don’t even concern myself with how this super being came into existence.
Nichole says:
“I think you need to be able to explain what religion is, and who or what God is before you can say you don”t believe in it.”
Should I also know what the invisible pink unicorn orbiting Neptune is before I decide not to believe in it?
Three statements by the faithful, and three statements of really shocking ignorance. It unfortunately is no coincidence, and the world pays for it every single day.
July 21st, 2008 at 4:30 am
Then stop talking so much about the “God” that doesn’t exist. How can “nothing” can bother you so much?
July 25th, 2008 at 5:59 am
Kozz, do you really agree that “the beauty of living for the lord is giving up our rational mind”?
Isn’t rationality what we could really use right now? A clear mind, despite all the “way of the heart” acting? Isn’t a rational mind what muslt lead us? Or is it affectivity, sensitiveness? What would happend if we would act by how we feel? Oooh, wait, we are…and look what’s happening !!
But I guess you like more the esthetics of the words, more then their meanings !!!
Wake up!
December 19th, 2008 at 10:14 am
Simply put Psalms 14:1reads; “the fool has said within his heart there is no “God” Hebrews 6:11 reads :without ” faith it is impossible to please him.”